Dive computers ( why, what and 9 benefits of diving with a computer)
For most people that take up Scuba diving, the hardest, theoretical, part of the Open Water Course is getting their head around working with the Dive Tables (Recreational Dive Planner)
How many times have you used your dive planner since you became a certified diver?
Reality is that most people haven't used their Dive Tables at all, They pay for guided dives and count on the Dive Master to control depth and time.
As you become a more experienced diver, you might feel the need for more independence and freedom under water. This is probably the moment where you start considering to purchase a dive computer.
What is a Dive Computer:
A dive computer gives you, among many other things, the same information as your Dive Tables but in a digital way.
To make sure you don't go deeper, or stay longer than is safe your Dive Computer will give you real time information on depth and time, considering any dives you have done previously.
Which information do you get from a Dive Computer?
1) Dive depth, including current depth and maximum depth
2) Time you have been in the water
3) Previous dive info, makes it easier to fill out your logbook, when you are dry and comfortable to do so. If flying after diving (minimum 12 hours no flight after a single dive, 18/24 hours after multiple dives) this is also an important part of info.
4) Ascent rate, your computer will make an audible sound when ascending faster than is safe.
5) Remaining No-Stop time, the time that you can remain in the water without reaching Decompression Limits and avoiding Decompression stops on your way back to the surface.
6) Low battery warning, advisable is to change the batteries every 50 dives, or every year if you are diving less than 50 times a year.
7) Emergency Decompression, warning you that you have to make a decompression stop on your way back up, after ascending incorrectly.
If you are using Enriched air, make sure your computer is compatible so you can enjoy them extended no stop times.
Benefits of diving with a computer:
- Eliminate Dive Profile errors
- Longer dive times
- Safe ascents and stops
- No more wet logbooks, since you can fill them out later.
- Computers make the use of enriched air easier.
- Air integration, console computers give you a very accurate reading on remaining time by calculating air consumption & current depth, wrist computers need a transmitter to your first-stage (that connection is not always failsafe!)
- Safe money, more and more dive operators make diving with a computer mandatory on their trips, if you don't have one, they'll rent it out to you.
- Flexibility, computers make it possible to change a dive plan on the fly if needed or wanted, and still know you are safe doing so.
- An extra benefit is, that they are a great ice-breaker, fellow divers will recognize you as a diver and start a conversation.
Which Dive Computer is the best?
The best Dive computer is the one that suits your needs the best. It is as easy to buy a Dive Computer that is much to advanced for your personal needs, as it it is to buy one that soon will be insufficient for your needs.
Are you a beginner, or advanced diver? There's computers available for each and every of these levels.
Following you can find a few of the most popular Dive Computers for Beginners and Experienced level divers.
Types of Dive Computers:
1) Wrist computers : Worn around your wrist like a watch, and make it very easy to see the information on the display, usually quiet a bit bigger than a normal watch.
2) Console Computer/Dive Gauge : they combine with your pressure gauge, and hang from your BCD.
3) dive computer watch : they are compacter than the wrist computers and double as a normal watch when out of the water.
Beginner/Entry level divers:
These are reliable computers at a low cost.
4 Dive modes; - Air, -Nitrox, -Gauge and Free.
Long life battery can be changed by user.
Single button easy to use.
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